The recent flu outbreak in humans that is widely known as "swine flu" technically is not swine flu. It is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that derives from one strain of human influenza, one strain of avian influenza, and two separate strains of swine influenza. The origins of this new strain are unknown, and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that this strain has not been isolated in swine.

The virus passes with apparent ease from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. The strain in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person makes a full recovery without requiring medical attention and without the use of antiviral medicines. In some poorer areas where nutrition and health facilities are not as advanced it can have more serious affects. Mexico has reported 168 deaths since the outbreak started. As of April 30th there have been 109 confirmed cases in the US with only one death, an infant.

Currently the CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

* Oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®) is approved to both treat and prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people one year of age and older.
* Zanamivir (brand name Relenza ®) is approved to treat influenza A and B virus infection in people 7 years and older and to prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people 5 years and older.

Since both Tamiflu and Relenza are drugs that must be prescribed by a doctor it is unlikely that you will have access to them unless you are already infected. In addition, as with most drugs, there can be serious side effects.

A safe natural preventative treatment is Alligin, a product containing Allicin (from garlic) and Ginger. The product is intended to strengthen and support your immune system.

According to Dr. Peter Josling, the current swine flu... "is a new flu virus strain that appears to be related to a simple H1N1 virus line. Symptoms in patients infected in the USA and Europe appear to be relatively mild and include a sore throat, sneezing and coughing. Swine flu appears to be very easily spread by coughing sneezing or coming into close contact with someone who is already infected.

Stabilized allicin as found in Alligin™ is an excellent natural antiviral agent that has been proven in double blind placebo controlled studies to both PREVENT the onset of viral disease and to remove symptoms in patients already infected. I would ask patients to supplement with 4-6 Alligin capsules daily to act as a preventative. Try to avoid contact with people who are showing active infection and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and then apply a protective layer of Alligel every day. This has been proven to prevent infectious organisms from populating the hands and face. Taking these simple and cost effective actions each day should prevent the onset of infection and keep your immune system boosted whilst this pernicious virus is trying to infect us all. This protocol should be adopted immediately and you may apply Alligel as often as required to help prevent infection passing onto your body."

Peter Josling, Ph.D, is the director of the Garlic Center in Suffex, England. He holds a B.S.C., Ph.D in chemistry from Nottingham University in the UK, and is internationally recognized as an expert on garlic and other plant-based extracts. He is a clinical researcher on plant-based chemicals and specializes in the chemical properties of garlic.

Any natural products such as Alligin that can strengthen your immune system would be a good preventative step to take. Although Alligin has not been tested against this specific flu, it has proven effective against related strains. And as they say, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Alligin can be purchased on the Internet at the LHN web store at http://www.lhnstore.com/rickslhn.